But when
the wild, raging storm did cease,
Under the billows two hearts found peace,
No more to part, no more of pain,
The bell may now tell its warning in vain.”

Pirates
have always fascinated me, and probably motivated by the blockbuster movies in
recent times I’ve got the idea to realize the topic not in one but in three
dioramas.
2007 – starting shot for the first part of the trilogy, called "Black
Pirate Phantom". The idea of this "overture" was to show a
pirate ship whose crew already was among the dead, spreading fear and terror by
travelling over the seas on their phantom – which is half ship, half fortress.

2008 - the project proceeded with this diorama. In this sequel, I wanted to show
the counterpart, also pirates, but still among the living. Even if pirates feel
most comfortable on sea, they still need a shelter, a secret anchorage to hide
their booty, to recharge their batteries. That’s how I’ve got the idea for the
construction of the 2nd Part.
Inspired by illustrations in a variety of pen & paper RPGs, such as eg
"Five Fingers" (Privateer Press), I wanted to depict a building built
on rocks. It should have a defense system and should look as if it had grown
over many years, with new parts built every now and then.

The basic concept was clear to me, and without further thought, I started
building. First I laid down the basic measures, about 30 x 70 cm (twice as big
as my Black Pirate Phantom) and I have built the base from skirting boards to
ensure that the size was fixed. To get a feeling for the dimensions of each
rock, I first built a rough model from Stryrodur by simply stacking the remains
(small Styrodur blocks). On this basis I have set the altitude of the defensive
system and the building. Initially, it should get three rocks in different
sizes: the defense system, the building and another smaller rock with a gnarled
tree on it. But after having finished the smaller rock, I decided to demolish
it though, because it didn’t fit into the overall picture.

Then I began to build the defense system. It’s got a “big gun”, assembled from
various guns, which is moved by a gear mechanism in a lower floor, a staircase
down to the sea and how it should be for a defense system, an observation
tower.
All the rocks are made from Styrodur. First I glued individual plates together
and then cut a rough rock structure into the Stryrodur by using a knife, then
coated it with commercially building plaster. When this is dry you can very
easily carve the final rock structure by using a screwdriver for example. The
areas of rocks, which are just above sea level, I plastered with coarse sand,
which makes it look like sea shells after having painted it.
The observation tower, the platform and the stairs are made of wood slats, all
from the hardware store. I have tried to recreate all the wooden structures from
real role models and "statically" correct, so the whole scene should
become as authentic as possible.
I have installed here, as in the whole diorama, a variety of small items of all
kinds of manufacturers. What I found suitable I used.
There’s access to this rock to from two bridges. In the lower bridge, I have designed
a simple form from Stryrodur and filled with plaster. After drying, the crude form
can be worked by using simple tools, to get it a “used look”. The upper bridge was
supposed to look very airy, it is entirely made of wood.

Now to the main cliff. It represents the shelter, the home of pirates. At this
stage I didn’t have the slightest idea how the building should look like.
Therefore I have made a crude cardboard working model.I started with the main building (with the two
chimneys) and out of a sudden it went of its own volition. Where I found
adequate I attached more small buildings and equipped them with roofs and
dormers. In front it’s got a kind of terrace, where the sailor's bride looks
longingly into the distance. After finishing the work model, I copied it almost
1on1 with balsa wood. Thanks to the working model, I could take the measures
for the complex roof construction directly from it. All roofs are designed like
real roofs. There are rafters, purlins, ridges, roof battens and more than 3000
individually fixed roof shingles. Erecting the model as I did, I was able to
set new ideas very spontaneously during the construction progress, for example
parts of collapsed roof, to show the elements of construction below.

Six guns, directed to the open sea, protect the building in addition. Access to
the building is a double-winged Dragondoor, which can be reached via a small
jetty. From the doorway you get through a partially collapsed staircase outside
the cliff top, pass the dungeon with its completely sunken tower inside which
you can see a chained prisoner.

The entire building wasn’t fixed on the rock before I finished its painting.
This way it was easier to reach those many little nooks and crannies with the
brush. The whole part is painted with commercially available acrylic colours,
not with the usually used and expensive colours. First I primed everything
black in at least 6 layers, because you discover again and again small
unpainted points in the white plaster, still shining through. It’s best to add
some detergent to the colour-water-mixture, so the tension of the water surface
is destroyed.

Both rocks
and wood are decorated in brown and grey tones, from the rock towards the sea
colours become increasingly dark to black. I work with glazes to get a
realistic colour scheme. Finally, the areas that are close to the water I gave
a green-brown oil glaze to get it a musty effect, this can be seen by the true
model very well. All the rusty bodies are a combination of the
"Vallejo" colors "Skin Wash" as the keynote, "Maroon
brown” for the shade and "Sepia" for the very dark areas.

So we have now arrived at the design of the water. In this model I used
"Vallejo Water Effects Pacific blue" because it is relatively easy to
handle. I've toned down the paste with a mixture of dark green and black, and simply
put a thick coat on the previously black primed base plate, with a brush.
Thereafter press the brush into the paste and quickly pull it up. This way
you’ll get an excellent wave. I repeated the whole process about three or four
times, but it’s important to let it dry between every application. Finally, I carefully
added the whitecaps with "Vallejo Water Effects transparent", mixed
with a very small amount of white colour.

Of course, a stronghold also needs an adequate team. The character’s style of
“Black Scorpion” I considered the most appropriate , since they have a very
realistic look. A total of eight characters can be seen on the fortress. All
figures are painted with oil paints.

Overall, it took me approximately 400 hours within 10 months to complete this
diorama, my biggest project to date.

The third and final part will have to wait. Currently there are so many other
ideas that I want to implement, from pirates life I need a small break.

Kommentare:

Hi, awsome, stunning work. May I ask you about resaurces of inspiritaion? You have some concept at your corkboard, but I am not able to identife tham :-( Is there any WIP pictures with tutorials at some forum? A I have your jurnal, but I want more more and more pls...Thx collak@seznam.cz

Wat a AMAZING diorama :-) :-) I've just discover your blog coming from table-top website. It is brilliant ! I like it.I'm also building lots scenery for figurines... Have a look at my (old) website : http://vergeylen.eu/stephane4/?q=content/manoir-hant%C3%A9

I'm currently building a castle and I would like your opinion for the painting... What is your email address ? My email is stephane at vergeylen.eu

your creationas are amazing ! is it possible to buy ? We are interested in PIRATEN, in order to use it in a Fragrances Salon/ salon in Firenze in september ( Pitti Fragranze ) Please let me know...Thanks a lot. Filippo Sorcinelli